At the Beginning with You

Summary:
This is my take on Breaking Dawn, or at least what I hope will happen in the final book. It is told from Bella’s POV and in later chapters it may switch as needed to allow for that character to be completely understood.

Notes:

5. Toasts and More

I continued to look out into the crowd and felt Edward’s hand slide down my arm. Once more I was lost in his gaze, I could look at him forever. As usual, I had to remind myself to breathe. I was lost in his gaze and had no idea that the cake was being wheeled out in front of our table. Edward slowly took my hand and led me to the table where the cake now rested. My eyes and mouth popped open as I looked that the mound of cake that stood before us. It was at least six feet tall and three feet wide. This was a cake not to be messed with, or taken lightly. I had to suppress the urge to roll my eyes as I thought about all the work Alice had put into the wedding. However, she had still gone overboard, I couldn’t believe it.

As I took in all of the cake, I noticed that it had five layers. Then from the top to bottom, cascading around the cake, was a trail of roses. The trail of roses made it look like a crimson ribbon was flowing down the side of the cake. I finally looked up high enough to see the cake topper. I figured she would go with the traditional bride and groom, but once more I was shocked. She had found someone to make a glass monogram, in the center stood a huge C and on one side stood a B and the other side had an E.

“Could I have your attention please?” Alice beamed as she looked at the crowd. “Edward and Bella will now be cutting the cake.”

Edward looked into my eyes as Alice handed me the cake knife. He gently took my hand and we cut a small sliver out of the bottom of the cake. Originally the plan had been to feed each other, the next thing I knew I had cake on the side of my nose and Edward stood back laughing. Of course, not to be out done, I looked at him, with an evil glint in my eyes, cake in hand…

The entire crowd started applauding and laughing. I’m sure it looked really funny, we both stood there laughing, faces covered in cake. Edward leaned in and kissed my nose, I pulled his face down and kissed his nose too.

“The cake tastes really, really good.” I laughed as I liked the icing off of my lips. Dang it, once more Alice was spot on with the decisions she had made for me. The cake was made with a white cake and the center had Bavarian cream and strawberries, ooh so good! I hated that she was always right. I noticed Alice rushing over to meet us, napkins in hand, ushering us back to our places at the table.

Once we were seated, the servers took the cake away and sliced it into servings for the individual guests. As they passed them out, I heard a tapping on a wine glass, I looked to my left and noticed that it was Jasper.

“If I may have your attention please.” Jasper spoke, as he continued to tap his glass. “I would like to present a toast to my brother and new sister.”

Everyone in the crowd turned, faced Jasper, and held up their glasses towards us. I was even more surprised to see that Jacob had his glass raised as well.

“I never thought this day would arrive.” Jasper spoke softly. “The day when my little brother, Edward, would find someone to spend eternity with. Edward, I love you and respect your decisions. Bella, as of today, you are my new sister and I truly am excited that you have chosen to become a member of our family. Thank you so much for making my brother happy. To Edward and Bella.”

“Edward and Bella.” The crowd answered as they lifted their glasses and toasted us. I understood the importance of what Jasper had said. I thought about the time when Edward told me of his fight with him, about me, when the scent of my blood drove Edward crazy. I smiled and looked over to him, he smiled back and I mouthed the words “thank you.”

Once more I heard another tap on a wine glass, this time it was Alice standing up to give a toast.

“I would like to offer the next toast to my brother and new sister.” She announced, as once more everyone raised their glasses to us. “I want to say that I too am excited that Bella has joined our family today. I can definitely see that they were made for each other and will live a long and fulfilling life. To Edward and Bella, I extend my warmest wishes and I know your futures will be filled with love and passion for all eternity. To Edward and Bella.”

“Edward and Bella!” The crowd said as they lifted their glasses to us once more. I thought that the toasts were over, I began to relax as I heard someone tap on their glass again. I looked over to my right, and shuddered in horror, as Edward’s big brother Emmett stood up and faced us. I looked over at Edward, trying to get him to stop Emmett, but he was looking away trying to suppress laughter.

“First off, I would like to say that this is one awesome moment for our family. Today, we have not only gained a new sister, but also a source of never ending amusement.” Emmett chuckled as he looked at me.

I could feel myself starting to slide down my chair, wanting desperately to crawl under the table. Edward reached out and took my hand, forcing me to stay where I was. I tried to imagine what would come up next, would he talk about me being a magnet for trouble, or the fact that I was Klutz-Zillah. I had to close my eyes, Klutz-Zillah was a nickname given to me by Emmett. I received this nickname, due to the fact that I could not walk across a flat, stable surface, without wiping out and ending up in the emergency room.

“Bella, I am also truly happy that you have decided to join our wacky, crazy family and I know that you will definitely add brightness to our lives. Oh and you’ll definitely add to the wackiness and craziness too!” He laughed, again. “To Edward and Bella!”

“To Edward and Bella!” The crowd answered once more.

“Wow!” Edward whispered, loud enough that only I could hear. “You got of easy. I read his mind, originally he planned to talk about your lack of balance and deadly use of sports equipment.”

“Thank him for me…” I whispered back. I was stopped in my sentence by Rosalie’s sudden movement.

“I want to say that I am happy that Edward and Bella have found each other. There is not one other person that could complete my brother, like you Bella. I am overjoyed to welcome you to our family, I know that you have, and will continue to make the right decisions in the end. Welcome to the family Bella!” She announced as she raised her glass to us. “To Edward and Bella!”

“Edward and Bella!”

I figured that, perhaps now, all of the toasts were over. I placed my head on Edwards shoulder and pulled his hand into mine. There was a sudden movement, out in the audience, to our left. I gasped as he stood up and raised his glass to us. I felt Edward stiffen next to me, and wondered what thoughts he had just heard in Jacob’s mind.

“I would like to make a toast to the happy couple.” Jacob announced as he turned his gaze upon us. “First off, I want to say that I have loved Bella for quite some time…”

No way! He was not going to do this again. Not here! Not now! I worried about the reactions of my new family, as I noticed a movement to my right. Emmett looked over at Edward, prepared to get out of his seat to stop Jacob from speaking. Edward shook his head, no, and Emmett calmed down.

“But now I understand that, indeed, she has made the best decision tonight. Edward, I know that you love her and will take care of her. I also know that you will always make her happy. To Edward and Bella.” He spoke as he gave a meaningful glance over to Edward.

“Edward and Bella.” The crowd echoed once more.

“What was that about?” I questioned as I looked at Edward.

“Your pal, Jacob, has informed me that if I do anything to hurt you…”

“Yes?”

“He’ll hunt me down and kill me.” He answered.

I gasped and turned my face to look at Jacob, he raised his glass and winked. All I could do was shake my head no. His silent response, to that, was nothing more than a nod…yes. Jasper must have sensed my emotions, because he turned and spoke quietly to Alice. Alice nodded and stood up…

“Time for dancing.” She sang.

The dance floor filled up quickly. Edward told me to stay where I was, that he had a surprise for me, and he disappeared. A few moments later I heard his velvet smooth voice call over the crowd.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I have a special gift for my wife. Bella would you please meet me at the piano?”

I was right! Edward planned to perform for me, and everyone else, tonight. The crowd parted and I slowly walked over to meet my husband, my Edward.

“I heard a song the other day, and it made me think of you. You look beautiful, my Bella.” He sighed as he started playing the piano.

I had loved the song, he had chosen, since the first time I heard it. I always thought about him when I listened to it though. It was crazy that he thought of me with this song too. It was Clay Aiken’s song “The Way.”

“It’s in the way that you move me,

And the way that you tease me.

The way that I want you tonight.

It’s In the way that you hold me,

And the way that you know me

And when I can’t find the right words to say…

you feel it in the way.”

I sat beside him on the piano bench, my eyes once more filled with tears at the sound of his voice, and the love, that poured out from him I sat there in silence, amazed by his voice.

After Edward’s song, the dance started. We all danced for quite sometime before Alice took the microphone again.

“If I could have everyone clear the floor please?” She announced. “It’s time for the mother/son and father/ daughter dance.”

I smiled at Charlie, as he stepped forward and took my hand. I glanced further down the dance floor and saw Edward give a small bow to Esme, and then he took her in his arms.

“Bella, may I have the pleasure of this dance?” Charlie asked as I nodded.

“Sure dad.” I answered as I wrapped my arms around his neck.

My eyes began to fill with tears as I danced, slowly, with my father. I looked into his eyes and saw that he was crying too. I could feel his body shake as he began to sob. I glanced over to Edward and Esme, and I was sure if they could cry they would be doing so too. The dance ended and I felt my fathers hands go around my body in a hug. I hugged him back until it was time to let go.

“Bella, I love you so much.”

“Thanks Dad.” I replied as Edward came and took back my hand.

“Thanks Edward.” My father spoke as he handed my other hand to Edward. “You have made my daughter truly happy.”

And then it happened, something I would never have expected. Charlie wrapped his arms around Edward and hugged him. Edward looked at me and smiled, and then wrapped his arms around Charlie and hugged him back. I stood in awe at this unexpected display of affection between my father and my husband. When the embrace broke Charlie stiffened up and shook Edward’s hand. Edward turned to me and wrapped his arms around me.

“Thank you.” I whispered.

“For what?” He questioned, searching my eyes for the answer.

“For being such a good husband.”

“You’re welcome.” We stood there for a brief moment, locked in our embrace. Time stood still.

“We have a gift for the happy couple.” Alice suddenly spoke over the rumble of the audience. “If you would all please look up to the sky…”

Everyone looked up and a moment later there was a BOOM! I gasped as the beautiful gold shimmer erupted into the sky. Only Alice would have a fireworks display at a wedding.

“You…let…her…have…fireworks?” Edward laughed as he pulled me tighter into his embrace.

“No! I would have never agreed to this.” I responded. “This is a total surprise to me too. Can you imagine the cost involved with this?”

“Yes, I can.” He answered as he kissed the top of my hair.

Honestly, the fireworks were awesome! I had never seen such an ornate fireworks display in my life, not even in Phoenix. The craziest one was our monogram, the same one from the top of the cake, it erupted in a shower of gold sparks and held in the sky for a brief moment . I never knew they could do something like that. Edward and I stood in awe, amazed at yet another perfect party pulled off by Alice.

“Bella? Edward?” Alice’s voice came as a surprise from behind us. “We need to…” and my eyes opened wide as she handed me my bouquet.

“Oh? Okay.” I said as Alice led me out to the dance floor.

“Would all the single ladies please gather behind Mrs. Bella Cullen. She is going to throw the bridal bouquet.” Carlisle announced.

I was amazed by the number of single women who moved behind me. I saw all of my “friends” from high school, mingling in the crowd of single women. Angela, Jessica and even Lauren stood towards the back of the group. All of the ladies raised their hands in anticipation.

“Okay ladies, on the count of three, Bella will toss her bouquet. Ready? One…Two….Three!”

When I heard three, I threw my bouquet over my head as hard as I could. I heard a scuffle behind me and turned in time to see Jessica catch it. She threw her hands over her head, pumping the bouquet in the air.

I smiled as the photographer had her rush to take photos with me.

“Now, I need all of the single men behind Edward?” Carlisle announced.

I looked at Edward, who was smiling, as I was brought a chair and asked to sit. I had forgotten about this part of the ceremony. How embarrassing! I knew what was coming, I thought I would die right then and there. Edward came to kneel at my side, still smiling at me, I nodded telling him that it was okay to go for it.

As soon as I gave my permission, Edward’s hands disappeared below the front of my dress, retrieving the small garter that was on my left thigh. Once he had removed it, he looked at me again smiling. I knew he was enjoying himself, way too much.

“On three.” Carlisle said once more. “One…Two…Three!”

Edward turned and sling-shot the garter over into the crowd of men. I stood up and rushed to Edwards side, to see who had caught the garter.

“I’ve always wanted to throw the garter like that.” Edward laughed, as he looked at me. “Emmett does it, like that, every time.”

I could not believe the dumb luck. Jacob stood up, garter in hand, and gave Edward a reproachful look. Edward just shrugged, obviously he hadn’t expected it to land where it did. There was a tension that filled the air as Jacob locked eyes with Edward, neither refused to look away. Finally, Carlisle broke the silence.

“Okay if we would have the lucky young lady and young man come to the dance floor. We will have the final dance of the evening.” Carlisle smiled, hoping to avoid a confrontation .

Jacob stood up and went to the middle of the dance floor. Jessica handed the bouquet to Angela and went out to meet him. Neither one looked at each other as the band started to play a slow song. Jacob finally took Jessica’s hand and looked up into her eyes. She locked eyes with him and smiled. I would have never believed what happened next, had I not seen it for myself.